Wooded Island Bird Walk Report

Just a few of the Wooded Island Regulars showed up for the Walk. The place was rather quiet bird wise. There were a high number of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds perhaps in migration. Likewise, the two Belted Kingfishers seemed to be passing through, although in silence. The single warbler seen was a Northern Waterthrush. Eastern Kingbirds were near Turtle Island. The adults stay nearby, atop the willow tree.

BIRDERS: 4. (1) Jennie S., (2) Eric G., (3) Karin D. and (4) Pat D.

TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

PLACES: Wooded Island, Lagoons & Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE: 2 miles

WEATHER: Cloudy. Humid. Temperature 69 – 85 F. Wind SW 13 – 23 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 23 + 3 other taxa

Canada Goose 17 Two flocks in flight.

Wood Duck 4 Around Turtle Island.

Mallard 15 A second brood of 4 ducklings in the North Lagoon.

Mallard (Domestic type) 1 In North Lagoon.

Chimney Swift 17

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8

Great Blue Heron 3

Green Heron 1

Black-crowned Night-Heron 1 Adult standing in waterfall in the Japanese Garden. Weekly sighting in same location.

hawk sp. 1 An accipiter.

Belted Kingfisher 2

Downy Woodpecker 1

falcon sp. 1 Possible Merlin

Eastern Kingbird 5

Warbling Vireo 2 Seen in center of Wooded Island along footpath.

American Crow 3

Barn Swallow 12

House Wren 2

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1

American Robin 1

Gray Catbird 2

American Goldfinch 2

Song Sparrow 3

Northern Waterthrush 1 At eye level, perched on a brush a few feet away. Seen by two birders. Confirmed by call. Located in the central section of Wooded Island along the west side of the footpath.

Northern Cardinal 5

Indigo Bunting 2

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed.

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles. Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots:The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.